Web posted
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Alsup receives pay increase
By JEANNE RICHARDSON
Courier Staff Writer
The County Commission voted 2-1 on Tuesday morning to give County Administrator Leroy Alsup a 10 percent salary increase.
Commissioner Carmelita Clarkson voted against the raise.
Amendments were made to bring Alsup's contract up to date, and raise his annual base salary from $81,598.40 to $90,001.60.
"He's picked up the ball with our employees, the jail project and others," said Chairman Dick Bonfy. "We have brought our salaries more in line with other county administrators in counties of the same size."
Commissioner Gary Wilson agreed that Alsup had "done a good job."
Clarkson said it was not a good time to hand out such a large raise.
"I think the salary should have stayed the same," said Clarkson. "We're cutting people, trying to save taxpayer's dollars. I'm there to represent the taxpayers, and I think he's probably getting more (money) than most in the county."
The commission also voted to authorize the purchase of a new car for the Community Corrections Department. That wasn't unanimous, either.
The vote was 2-1 and Clarkson was again the one commissioner to vote against the purchase order, saying she cannot "justify paying more for this car when we've cut the budget in other departments."
According to a letter from Michael Knapp, director of Community Corrections, the department was allotted $14,000 from a grant to buy a vehicle for transporting clients.
But Knapp wrote that a new vehicle would serve their needs for a longer period of time, provide a full warranty and need less money for maintenance. So the department asked the commission for help to pay for the price of a new car.
It received a bid for $17,953 for a new 2008 Chevy Impala from Merle Snider, which was the lowest bid.
In other business, the commission voted to authorize the appointment of members on the Cowley County Mental Health & Counseling Center Board of Directors. Froma Wolc and Jon Von Achen were both reappointed, while Jim Hinegardner and Rebecca Cunningham were appointed as new members.
The commission authorized the issuance of a purchase order for $31,530 so that the county appraiser's office can purchase two 2008 Ranger XLT Super Cab 4x4 pickups.
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